Despite secondary upgrades, many questions remain for Browns' defense

This is the second in a five-part series involving Browns writers from the Cleveland Sports Blog Network. Today, Cleveland bloggers look at the team's defense. Check back every day for the next part in the series. Coming Wednesday: The coaching staff.

Today, Don Delco of No Logo Needed, Peter Pattakos of Cleveland Frowns, Dave Kolonich of Cleveland Reboot and Rick Grayshock of WaitingForNextYear offer their quick hit takes on the Browns defense heading into 2010. Read their thoughts, share yours in the comments and be sure to check out their blogs for more in-depth analysis.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerRob Ryan's creativity with the defense helped the Browns to win four games in a row to end 2009.

Considering all the change in Berea over the past few months, one constant has remained from 2009. Clearly, both Eric Mangini and Rob Ryan still hold total control over the defense's fortunes. Evidence of this can be found in this year’s draft, as three of the team's picks were devoted towards improving the secondary - perhaps the roster's weakest link in 2009. The additions of Joe Haden at corner, along with free agent acquisition Sheldon Brown, should allow Rob Ryan the freedom to continue his aggressive playcalling.

It was Ryan's creativity that allowed the team's defense to flourish late last season despite the loss of several starters to season-ending injuries. With a healthy roster at his disposal in 2010, along with offseason acquisitions Chris Gocong and Scott Fujita, Ryan's defense should continue to improve, particularly in the area of pressuring opposing quarterbacks.

Despite the offseason trade of Kamerion Wimbley, the Browns feature some intriguing pass rushers at outside linebacker and some veteran depth in the middle of their defense.

However, perhaps the key to the Browns' defensive fortunes in 2010 rest in the aging bodies of Robaire Smith and Kenyon Coleman. If both players can survive a 16-game schedule, the shaky depth behind them won't be exposed. However, injuries - or the tenuous legal status of Shaun Rogers - could lead to a very dangerous situation.

Although the team's defensive front seven still lacks quality speed and playmaking, the combination of Ryan's playcalling, a steady group of veteran leaders and the influx of some young secondary talent could make this entire unit the unquestioned strength of the team in 2010.

View full sizeTracy Boulian | The Plain DealerIt's not a stretch to say that Brandon McDonald struggled mightily in 2009.By the end of last season, the Browns might have only had two, maybe three defensive backs who would have seen any meaningful playing time on any other NFL team. With the single exception of the December win over Pittsburgh, teams with any kind of ability to move the ball through the air did so with ease against the 2009 Browns, and it was easy to see why. The secondary was a critical hole.

With the addition of Sheldon Brown, Joe Haden, and T.J. Ward the hole has been effectively filled. Fifth-round pick Larry Asante might have been a steal as well. He had an excellent career at Nebraska, and last season was first team All-Big 12 playing a key role on one of the nations very best defenses. Scouting reports say he’s athletic and fluid enough to hang with tight ends, running backs and most receivers, and call him one of the top thumpers in this year's draft.

It's popular now to identify the pass-rush as the defense's current biggest weakness, but we'll have a much better idea of whether this is the case after watching the front seven play before a reasonably competent secondary. There were at least a few games last season where the Browns were able to get to the quarterback, even despite the defensive backfield.

With so much having been done to address the secondary in the off-season, it’s impossible not to expect improvement from Rob Ryan’s defense in 2010.

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It is hard to disagree that this defensive philosophy does not generate results. Seven of the 12 playoff teams last season - the Cardinals, Chargers, Cowboys, Jets, Patriots, Ravens and Steelers - employed the 3-4 defense.

More specifically, those seven teams have something the Browns do not - game-changing talent at the linebacker position.

To the casual football fan, linebackers from those playoff teams can easily be rattled off one by one. Karlos Dansby. Shawne Merriman. DeMarcus Ware. Bart Scott. Adalius Thomas. Ray Lewis. James Harrison. Meanwhile, since 1999 the Browns have had one Pro Bowl linebacker: Jamir Miller.

The Browns linebackers have been a disastrous bunch since their return. Players like Rahim Abdullah, Beau Bell, David McMillen, Wali Rainier, Dwayne Rudd and Ben Taylor have dotted the teams roster. Recently, the Browns passed on two game-changing linebackers in the last two drafts. Last year it was Rey Maulauga and this year it was Rolando McClain.

Aside from potential stars in Maulauga and McClain, there is no doubt the Browns upgraded their linebacking corps within the last year with Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong and Matt Roth. The potential starting linebackers in 2010 will be Roth (LOLB), David Bowens (LILB), Fujita (RILB) and Gocong (ROLB). That's hardly a group that strikes fear into opposing offenses.

If the Browns are committed to making the 3-4 defense work - and it appears they are, those four need to play far above their potential. A successful 3-4 defense begins and ends with above average talent at the linebacking position, something the Browns have severely lacked. Well, that and front office cohesiveness.

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